Edo APC chieftain ‘kidnapped’

ONE of the leaders of the newly-registered All Progressives Congress in Edo North, Mr. Athanasius Ogbome, may have fallen victim to those suspected to have kidnapped rights activist, Mike Ozekhome.

The suspected kidnappers of Ozekhome and his driver were said to have ambushed a police patrol team despatched on a rescue mission and opened fire on them, killing four policemen.

Unconfirmed report said Ogbone’s white Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), was in front of the one conveying Ozekhome. It was further learnt that the hoodlums took away their victims in Ogbome’s vehicle. Ozekhome’s SUV was seen on the scene of the incident by policemen, who discovered the identity of the kidnapped lawyer.

The APC chief, who with others, inaugurated the party in Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area, last Saturday, was said to be returning from a funeral in Fugar.

His elder brother and former House of Assembly member, Pascal, was unable to confirm his brother’s whereabouts. He, however, said the family was praying for his safe return.

Briefing reporters, Police Commissioner Foluso Adebanjo said: “Operatives of the command led by DPO Ehor division responded to a distress call about 3:30pm that unspecified number of armed men had blocked theBenin-Auchi Road on the Ehor axis. The hoodlums ambushed the patrol vehicle and opened fire on it, prompting an exchange of fire.

“At the end of the gun duel, the hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds but not without their victim, who was later identified, upon a search on his abandoned vehicle, as Chief Ozekhome and his driver.